Integrity : Website link-checking made easy!
10/12/07 17:10 Filed in: YMMV
If you manage or create website, one of the more essential but tedious tasks is to maintain the integrity of the links - you move files or pages around, or external sites disappear.
Rather than have to manually click each link on your website to test its validity, then have to go back and check the next one, Integrity, a freeware* utility from Sheila Dixon of PeacockMedia will do that for you. Feed it your home page address (url) and Integrity will follow all of your internal links to find your pages, checking the server response code for all internal and external links found. It will then deliver a report, allowing you to go in and fix the highlighted broken links.
* Sheila is happy to accept donations to buy her a drink if you appreciate her efforts!
Rather than have to manually click each link on your website to test its validity, then have to go back and check the next one, Integrity, a freeware* utility from Sheila Dixon of PeacockMedia will do that for you. Feed it your home page address (url) and Integrity will follow all of your internal links to find your pages, checking the server response code for all internal and external links found. It will then deliver a report, allowing you to go in and fix the highlighted broken links.
Leopard Gets Its First Update - but many issues remain unresolved
Apple have released Leopard's first update, 10.5.1, which addresses a number of issues facing early adopters - but there is much more to be done.
According to Apple, "The 10.5.1 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac." (Specific details can be found here).
Some areas where users have reported significant issues not covered by this update include:
• Printing - not all manufacturers have updated their printer drivers for compatibility with Leopard's updated CUPS printing system. In my own particular case I discovered that my FujiXerox Docuprint printer wouldn't print from Leopard, and that no updated drivers were available - but what did work for me was that my printer was actually a 're-badged' Brother printer, and selecting that built-in driver restored printing. Think Different!
• Finder connections to some LAN-based storage devices (NAS) which are Windows-driven network storage devices usually connected to by SMB. It has been reported by one manufacturer of the hardware (often re-badged by popular brands) that there is driver incompatibility with Leopard, that new driver software is being developed, and that users should access their files via FTP or USB rather than SMB at this time.
• Connectivity and filesharing with Windows-based devices. Apple re-wrote the network interface and things are perhaps not as intuitive as once before. Connecting, browsing and file sharing with Windows devices seem to be a very hit-and-miss affair at the moment, with various workarounds working in some situations but not in others...hopefully Apple will make this a priority fix for the next update.
According to Apple, "The 10.5.1 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac." (Specific details can be found here).
Some areas where users have reported significant issues not covered by this update include:
• Printing - not all manufacturers have updated their printer drivers for compatibility with Leopard's updated CUPS printing system. In my own particular case I discovered that my FujiXerox Docuprint printer wouldn't print from Leopard, and that no updated drivers were available - but what did work for me was that my printer was actually a 're-badged' Brother printer, and selecting that built-in driver restored printing. Think Different!
• Finder connections to some LAN-based storage devices (NAS) which are Windows-driven network storage devices usually connected to by SMB. It has been reported by one manufacturer of the hardware (often re-badged by popular brands) that there is driver incompatibility with Leopard, that new driver software is being developed, and that users should access their files via FTP or USB rather than SMB at this time.
• Connectivity and filesharing with Windows-based devices. Apple re-wrote the network interface and things are perhaps not as intuitive as once before. Connecting, browsing and file sharing with Windows devices seem to be a very hit-and-miss affair at the moment, with various workarounds working in some situations but not in others...hopefully Apple will make this a priority fix for the next update.
A Note For Cable Broadband Users
03/11/07 12:46 Filed in: Hints 'n' Tips | YMMV
If you can read this your cable internet access is probably working. However, just for future reference - it's not uncommon during thunderstorms for cable (Telstra and Optus) broadband users to lose internet access.
The problem is that if the connection breaks, even for a moment, before coming back up, both your ISP and your cable modem may still think you are connected, whereas the reality is that you're not. The ISP can ping your modem and get a response, so they believe you are connected and it's not their fault. They then get you to try to change all manner of settings on your computer (none of which work), and further complicate recovery.
If you are a cable broadband subscriber, and you lose your internet access and your ISP tells you there's no issue with the service, before you go any further follow these simple steps in order:
1) Turn off all computers, router and the cable modem. Unplug the cable modem from the power point.
2) Wait 10 minutes.
3) Plug the cable modem back in and power it up. Wait a couple of minutes.
4) Power up your router (if you have one).
5) Power up your computers and other network devices and try your browser now.
Unplugging the cable modem and waiting for 10 minutes causes the ISP's system to recognise that you've dropped off the network, so that when you log back in again your connection is reset and you're assigned a new IP address.
If you've still got connection issues after doing this, please speak to a Mac specialist like myself before trying anything drastic suggested by someone with no Mac experience!
The problem is that if the connection breaks, even for a moment, before coming back up, both your ISP and your cable modem may still think you are connected, whereas the reality is that you're not. The ISP can ping your modem and get a response, so they believe you are connected and it's not their fault. They then get you to try to change all manner of settings on your computer (none of which work), and further complicate recovery.
If you are a cable broadband subscriber, and you lose your internet access and your ISP tells you there's no issue with the service, before you go any further follow these simple steps in order:
1) Turn off all computers, router and the cable modem. Unplug the cable modem from the power point.
2) Wait 10 minutes.
3) Plug the cable modem back in and power it up. Wait a couple of minutes.
4) Power up your router (if you have one).
5) Power up your computers and other network devices and try your browser now.
Unplugging the cable modem and waiting for 10 minutes causes the ISP's system to recognise that you've dropped off the network, so that when you log back in again your connection is reset and you're assigned a new IP address.
If you've still got connection issues after doing this, please speak to a Mac specialist like myself before trying anything drastic suggested by someone with no Mac experience!
Leopard Bites!
Leopard was unleashed on Friday 26th and it's bitten a few early adopters. Read More...
A word of warning...
25/10/07 11:06 Filed in: Hints 'n' Tips
Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' makes significant changes to Directory structure - so DON'T be tempted to run either Alsoft DiskWarrior or Micromat TechTool Pro (which both feature Directory repair routines) on your new 10.5 installation, as you could render your system unbootable.
Both Alsoft and Micromat have indicated that their software may not yet be fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.5, and once they get their release version of Leopard the same as everyone else they will post updates on their websites as quickly as possible - so stay tuned!
[Whilst developers get Mac OS X 10.5 developer builds from Apple to update and test their software with, it is possible for Apple to make last minute changes to what ships in the box - thus their need to wait until they get the same version/build as everyone else before publishing their updated software.]
[Whilst developers get Mac OS X 10.5 developer builds from Apple to update and test their software with, it is possible for Apple to make last minute changes to what ships in the box - thus their need to wait until they get the same version/build as everyone else before publishing their updated software.]
Carbon Copy Cloner: Clone your Mac!
19/10/07 10:12 Filed in: YMMV
Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard'
Apple have announced Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' will ship on 26th October, 2007. Read More...
Power Protection for your Mac
19/10/07 09:14 Filed in: Hints 'n' Tips
Adobe InDesign CS3 Update
10/10/07 08:23 Filed in: Updates
Adobe have released InDesign 5.0.1 Update, which provides key fixes. Read More...
Microsoft Office 2004 Update
10/10/07 08:19 Filed in: Updates
Microsoft have released Office 2004 for Mac 11.3.8 Update, which fixes a security issue and improves stability. Requires 11.3.7 Update installed.
YASU : Yet Another System Utility
08/10/07 15:34 Filed in: YMMV
YASU is a straightforward first-line-of-attack maintenance utility that every Mac user should have! Read More...
Linotype FontExplorer X
Linotype FontExporer X : free professional font management for designers and publishers. Read More...
Microsoft Office Mac 2008 shipping date 'formalised'
28/09/07 08:59 Filed in: News
The new version of Microsoft Office for Mac 2008 is set to ship 15th January 2008.
Last Updated: 3/07/08 7:33 AM Read More...New Apple Products
Apple have announced new hardware and software products... Read More...
Decompressing File Archives
06/08/07 11:34 Filed in: Hints 'n' Tips
The Vagaries Of Things Microsoft...
18/06/07 10:42 Filed in: YMMV | Hints 'n' Tips
Some items of interest regarding Microsoft and Macs... Read More...
Something to be aware of...
05/05/07 10:36 Filed in: Apple | Hints 'n' Tips
A timely reminder from Apple to avoid data loss... Read More...
Apple Notebook Battery tips
05/05/07 10:35 Filed in: Apple
Useful information from Apple on getting the most from your notebook battery... Read More...
Filtering image-based Spam with Apple Mail
13/01/07 22:53 Filed in: YMMV | Hints 'n' Tips
Saving HTML pages as PDFs with working hyperlinks
06/01/07 08:41 Filed in: Hints 'n' Tips | YMMV
Saving an HTML webpage as a PDF through Mac OS X 'Print to PDF' doesn't preserve embedded hyperlinks. Here's how to get around that. Read More...
Apple Keyboard Commands
06/01/07 08:15 Filed in: Apple | Hints 'n' Tips
